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AllHipHop Owner Pens Open Letter To Nicki Minaj About ‘Anaconda’ Cover Art From A Dad’s Perspective

Nicki Minaj’s controversial “Anaconda” cover art attracted some mixed reviews. While some celebrated the Queens rapper for flaunting her seemingly perfect backside for the camera while positioned in a squatting pose, others shamed her and deemed the cover inappropriate. The owner of AllHipHop.com, Chuck Creekmur, also penned an open letter to the 31-year-old, which was written from the perspective of a father and contains sort of a “do better” tone.

He opens the letter, which was published by Mommy Noire, by reminding Nicki of the time her camp wrote in to his publication and asked him to remove an image in which Nicki is facing forward in a similar squat pose because it no longer represented who she was as an artist.

“The team member let us know that Nicki is no longer on that and is doing a lot to promote a new image – ‘blah blah blah,'” he wrote.

His letter continues:

“But, guess what? Not only do I run AllHipHop, I’m a father, too. For a moment there, I felt like I had briefly peered into the deepest recesses of Nicki Minaj’s true inner self, a being that cares how this ratchet s**t affects my kid. I said to myself, ‘Self, how cool is this? Nicki is already evolving into somebody that my daughter may get to listen to on my watch. Maybe.’ I’ve been in the music game a minute now so I know how it goes. So, when I peeped the artwork for your latest single, I wasn’t even shocked, I was just disappointed. The song: ‘Anaconda.’ The art: your booty in a thong. As a man, I can appreciate the virtues of your perfect posterior. The dad guy is not a happy camper, particularly now that his lil’ girl is transitioning into a young lady.”

“Now, the most popular, current Black female rapper starts overtly pushing her hyper-sexualized image again? Just my luck. I’m trying to raise a young girl that will eventually grow into someone greater than the both of us. I know that this requires great parenting, great education, great luck and an assortment of great influences. I’m sure you know the influence you wield, but now, if you told the “Barbs” to scratch my eyes out, some would attack without thinking about it. I’m sure some will also replicate the “Anaconda” image without thinking about it too. Your original image already has 256,817 (and counting) likes under the original Instagram picture you posted, so I venture that your average girl could strive to get a couple hundred likes from her friends. Is this the path you want to lead impressionable kids down?”

Chuck then goes on to remind Nicki of how much influence she has and how she has been given the role of leader, whether she wishes to accept it or not. While he admits that his kid doesn’t know much about Nicki, he argues that it will eventually be difficult for him to shield her from who Nicki is.

“I don’t want to EVER see her posted up one day emulating you the way I “fought the power” like I was Chuck D’s little brother back in 1989. Or, the way you emulated Kim.”

The letter concludes with Chuck urging Nicki to do some self-reflecting. Of course, his attempt at getting Nicki to rethink the path that she’s embarking upon also received a mixed responses. While some felt that his letter was spot on, others questioned why he failed to pen such heartfelt letters to male rappers who consistently objectify and disrespect women.

What I don’t get is Nicki has always been so raunchy. I hope the author is going after male rappers too.

Brooklyn Gordon

The point is. As women we have to work harder to get respect especially in a male dominated industry. One minute your changing your image next your half naked with your *ss out. It’s confusing red or blue pill choose one. Nicki is a great artist her talent should speak for itself. Not her attributes. As far as the males go I rarely see hip hip acts dressed showing their stuff maybe a shirt off and boxers. The women allow themselves to get put out there either for fame or a few dollars.

Noirluv45

Brooklyn, no hip hop artists don’t show their “assets,” but they show other women’s assets. In fact, their lyrics alone are misogynist, so they need to be called on it. It’s hypocritical not too.

Pixie

Well said, absolutely brilliant! My thoughts exactly, I almost felt like every degrading thing all of those black rappers portrayed she attempts to validate with her chosen public image, lyrics and this cover. I think it’s misguided and naive to imply this is anything to do with a celebration of the female form (especially as she paid for it) it’s just sex and her body of which she is happy to sell. It’s all just very sad and unnecessary.

Just saying!!

I am highly annoyed by the comments that are trying to flip everything around and make it about male rappers. For one, this is why black men and women can’t fix a damn thing in terms of relations with each other because once one is critiqued, instead of listening they have to talk about the flaws of the other and how they are sooo much worse.

SECOND of all, black women… Stop worrying about what black men are doing!! Seriously though. As a black woman myself I used to concentrate on that a lot and get frustrated over the blatant disrespect, but I’ve learned that as a woman, I have the power. These men only get away with what we let them get away with. So with that being said, Nicki Minaj is exactly who we should be talking to. We can’t force Lil Wayne’s simple minded a** to care…but it doesn’t really matter because he also doesn’t control black women’s images either…WE (black women) do. Nicki Minaj has the power to change some of the sexual discrimination and patriarchal bull *** in hip hop if she refuses to play into it. The problem is that she is…willingly. So don’t make this about male rappers just to deflect away from the real issues. Despite whatever hypocrisy this man may have in his life, this article reigns true and it’s time we acknowledge that. Our future is far more important than our egos.

Pixie

Well said, absolutely brilliant! My thoughts exactly, I almost felt like every degrading thing all of those black rappers portrayed she attempts to validate with her chosen public image, lyrics and this cover. I think it’s misguided and naive to imply this is anything to do with a celebration of the female form (especially as she paid for it) it’s just sex and her body of which she is happy to sell. It’s all just very sad and unnecessary.

SunFlower78

THANK YOU and well said!

Eri Cad

The sad part is I have a feeling Nicki won’t respond with anything thought out or intellectual she will probably take a bunch of cheap shots at him and call herself doing something. (I’m looking at you Rhianna)

ImariRose

I agree with his letter and I also agree yes there needs to be one for male artist as well but that’s not the focus of this letter or this article. The article and this letter are about NIcki Minaj and let’s talk about just that. Nicki Minaj is all about the kids and the next minute she’s all about the $$$ and that means sex sales, so she does what she needs to in order to make sales. This woman is a straight up hustler and opportunist. Where she see’s there an opportunity to make money, she does it. I do agree Chuck is a little weird for letting his daughter mimic Nicki but what child doesn’t. It’s 2014 and Nicki is everywhere from Nichelodeon to Cartoon Network. Sorry, but when your child goes to school and since every 10 year old has some type of electronic, you can’t always monitor what they’re seeing or doing. All you can do is as a parent teach them morals and ethics of right and wrong.

Herm Cain

What’s sad Is that your typical women is too goofy to see how this negatively effects them too busy arguing about double standards and why they should be allowed to showcase what only husbands should see next time your a** gets grabbed in the club or that man calls you out your name remember what you cosign and how it represents you

lyfe

Nikki’s ‘leader’ ship sailed when she chose to call herself Minaj. So why are you surprised a woman who calls herself this would behave this way? Isn’t her 15 minutes up yet?

MzBrenda Tyson

I’ve seen the cover and personally I don’t see anything wrong with it. For years men have exploited women and nobody has said anything. Oooh but now that a woman had chosen to do something risqué and put it on the album cover is an issue. He’s not concern about Nikki’s image he’s worried about if his daughter will try to mimic her. First of all WE add parents should be OUR chosen first example not a rapper or a singer. If WE train up OUR children right you don’t have to worry about them trying to mimic anything but us. When OUR kids get grown they are responsible for their own actions. Thus this album cover, she’s grown, she made her decision, and she’s not taking it back, so do me a favor and have several seats. Oh BTW her while career has been her doing things out the box. So why is this such a surprise

Christophe Tam

Double standards in all their glory! When a man shows explicit images, no one’s talking. when it’s a chick, everyone’s offended. Hypocritical at best!

Chaz

It’s the way of life. Why should a woman want to show off her body like that for the world to see anyway. Is shameful.

Christophe Tam

Men show off their bodies too, but nobody raise an eyebrow. He says Nicki minaj is an idol for many girls, but why doesn’t he write an open letter to dudes like Rick ross, 2 chainz, or lil wayne, to name a few for their inappropriate acts?

Chaz

Thats women problem. Just because a man does it, you feel obligated to do it as well. Whats ok for a man to do is not ok for a woman to do. And that’s just the way it is. And their are many feminist groups that are or has advocated against rappers who degrade women. Thats nothing new.

honeybee808

It’s HIS responsibility to see that HIS daughter does not have any desire to emulate Nicki Minaj when she becomes a young lady. And yes he very well can limit her exposure to her music since he is the parent and that’s what he supposed to do.

Also, i’ve never really understood her relationship with the underage set other than her flamboyant costumes. yes, she’s had some bubblegum hits, but she’s always been raw.

arealsouthernbelle

If Nicki wanna show her behind like that, I have no problem with it. She’s a grown woman, and does not come across as the type who can be used, unless she wants to be used. What I do have a problem with is people like Chuck. Seems to be okay with him that Nicki’s butt paying his and his daughter’s bills and has no problem with male rappers who insult black women so they can pay his and his daughter’s bills. But has a problem with his sweet, pure, little baby girl’s eyes seeing such things. Should have thought about that before getting into his particular line of work. Boy, bye.

Bry Shonyea

Sadly.. We live in a world were double standards still exists. True.. He should have written about the male rappers that treat woman a certain way.. But seriously.. Rather we want to are not woman always get the shxt end of the stick. I don’t like the cover personally but most I guess nicki feels threatened.? Since there’s another femcee on the scene.? I mean.. Notice how she calmed dwn w/ the extra shxt && all of a sudden Iggy pops out && gets popular… Now this? Just a though.

Hey Now!

Get off your pedestal Chuck. You have pedaled smut for years and for you to target Minaj is hypocritical of you. No wonder I stopped going to your site years ago…you a lame shawty.

AfricaChillin

Great open letter and all but, lets be real. When are people going to focus their energy on becoming their kids greatest influence instead of waiting on the next entertainer to present some garbage so that they can start talking about “what about the children” “how can my kid see this.” Unfortunately, we live in a society where this kind of imagery is everywhere. It is up to the parents or whom ever is in charge to instill morales, values, and self esteem to sons and daughters. Athletes and Entertainers are influential without a doubt. Athletes and Entertainers didn’t give birth to your kids. That’s your job.

Clarkson

THIS. TOPIC. AGAIN?

1) Well, I sincerely hopes he penned open letters to the Male Rappers who continuously write degrading lyrics regarding women and use degrading images of women for their artwork and visuals. I’m sick of people being critical of “Female Rappers” but not as critical of the “Male Rappers” who, moreso, dominate the genre. In addition, I will be conducting research to see if “Mr. Chuck” has spoken out on the constant ‘Drug Peddling and Se*ual Glorification’ in Male Rap Lyrics, the ‘Gang/Thug Images and Degradation of Women’ that young boys internalize on a daily basis.

2) In this day and age, our Youth own iPhone’s and every other digital device known to man; you better hope that Nicki minaj is the worst thing they’re exposed to. How many decades have Men been Hyperse*ual exactly?

3) RAISE YOUR OWN OFF-SPRING. All a Parent can do is mold their Children into being respectable individuals of society but, regardless, you cannot force them from ever being exposed to the outside world and what exists within it. Your Children will not become “Prostitutes” because of the acts of a select group of extroverted and eccentric celebrities.

IllyPhilly

She’s only supplying what the people demand.

fromanotherplanet

Oh lawd. Not these think pieces again. I just can’t. I just cannot. Fix it Jesus. Fix it. I’m done.

starapple

What a blasted hypocrite. As I am not familiar with this publication, I did a cursory search on the web, and was alarmed to see images similar to and worse than that of Nicki’s album cover. Sir, you need to clean your house before you criticize others. Aren’t you equally as concerned about the images that you are putting out there for other people’s children to see?

hollyw

Boy bye. Stop being a hypocrite first, acting like somebody’s daddy when she has her own and y’all are less than 5yrs apart, second, THEN I will take you seriously. Your aren’t BlackGirlsRock magazine, for crying out loud.

And she says she is all for women and their come up.You are gorgeous. In the sleek dresses. Why exploit yourself? Why be used?

StraightShooter

What is wrong with the naked body. Perhaps you and others should ask yourselves, what is it about a woman taking agency over herself that makes you uncomfortable.

hollyw

How is she being used..?

Wouldn’t her exercising her choice to use her sęxuality as part of her image quality her as “user”, not “used”?

KT

Fix it Jesus…

MayBaby

Yes fix it, take the wheel, & be a fence all around me EVERYDAY!

hollyw

………………….oh, okay.

KT

Team Kid Cuddi for a reason…

lockstress

*bows head in sorrow*We have got to do better as HUMAN BEINGS ON THIS PLANET!Rappers, Writers, Actors, HUMANS….just do better.Everything that is unrighteous is celebrated and the righteous is clowned and mocked.There will be a day of judgement (I believe) and society, the drugs, my momma, the music, NONE OF THAT is gonna matter.Anyone with any descent smidget of self respect cannot look at this album cover and the music of the world today and convince me that there isn’t a demonic undertone in today’s entertainment and society as a whole.We are self imploding and people.Look beyond the material and physical and look intenally and spritually.

StraightShooter

What is the problem with a naked woman’s body. Because you feel like one has to be covered to be “decent” that doesn’t mean everyone feels the same. Get off of your high horse and stop shaming women because of our bodies.

Chey

You can’t be serious.

StraightShooter

What part of my statement seems be in a joking manner?

SunFlower78

THANK YOU!

LoveJoy02

Great…He was pushing Nicki’s hypersexual image onto everyone else’s daughter but soon as he has a daughter of his own his daughter is too pure to see that…Ppl kill me…

#helicopterparent

Llegra

I totally agree. As for those who say why doesn’t he do same to the men who use far worse images, I disagree for following reasons. The images used are those of women. Any woman who is happy to be degraded for the sake of a few bucks, needs re-educating. You do not see male artistes drop down to their underwear to promote their music, good or bad. Yet, women continually debase themselves lying to themselves that it is all in the name of art. Please, we all know that is what sells for them and not their actual skills unless perhaps, you are Adele who let’s her skills do the talking.

StraightShooter

Why not post letters to the young men Chicago. The community has greater problems then a what GROWN woman chooses to wear.

Annalytical

Why not do BOTH? I agree something must be said to the young men, but I’m also happy he’s saying something about this overt sexuality in our culture.

StraightShooter

What is wrong with a grown person expressing her/his sexuality? The big problem is that our society as a whole is sexually repressed.

Mimi

I agree…although I find the picture risqué…. Everytime a black women with real curves or even fake curves flaunts them fully clothed or not ppl get shaken!

Just saying!!

Is THAT the issue? Please. There’s a difference between being sensual and being saturated with sex like this industry is. That’s why this generation is so damn simple minded. Sex isn’t life, it’s just a part of life.

StraightShooter

Why do you have the authority to decide what is ok and what crosses the line?

Just saying!!

I don’t know. I guess because you have the authority to decide that America of all places is sexually repressed. Umm…don’t think so.

Live_in_LDN

Irrelevant. If you care so much about your child being exposed to hypers33xualised images, it doesn’t make a difference if it comes from men, or the actual women themselves, the child will view it the same. ChuckCreekmur is a hypocrite and has endorsed many mysogynist rappers and the degradation of black women which has earned him his career but now a black women does it on her own accord, he has a problem?

Live_in_LDN

Also Lenny Kravitz, D’Angelo and several others have taken risque n0de shots, with their chocks just slightly blurred out of frame. The boy band industry is full of almost n0de males shaking it for the $$$, so just stop.

hollyw

Did you seriously just say that male rappers who systematically objectify women (and themselves, too; just not sęxually) are better than female rappers who objectify themselves lol?? You sound ridiculous.

Live_in_LDN

Yeah, reading the comment made my head hurt too

Chey

I’m sorry that the feminists are attacking you. I agree with you though. Why can’t some women just take their L’s instead of turning it around and making it about men? I’m sure we’re all aware that men AND women need to do better, but this was about Nicki Minaj.

SunFlower78

It’s the accountability thing…nobody wants to accept it. I will just point the finger in the other direction and keep doing me. No matter what negative affects it will bring in my life.

Live_in_LDN

Acountability for what though? No one is accountable for raising Creekmur’s daughter except him and the mother. He is the one trying to dodge his accountability by putting it iin the hands of random famous strangers.

SunFlower78

Accountability for anything in life…my comment was generalized. As far as Creekmur’s daughter…are we choosing not to read the part where he stated multiple times that ultimately it is HIS responsibility. As a parent, or a person for that matter…he is entitled to his opinion as yourself. Because some may not agree does not makes his points less valid.What amazes me is we mock people when they don’t fall and stand for anything and praise the people that do. If he were to write letters for everything he disagrees with he will be writing for days…for some reason this time he felt the need to and that is his prerogative to do so.

Anytime somebody disagrees with something or voices an opinion about something the first thing folk want to argue is…”but so and so does it”…or you are a hater…really, we can’t do better than that.If you like it love it, but if you don’t then that’s okay too.

jean

I know this article is 4 months old but your reasoning is just so hard to understand. you talk about not wanting to take accountability for our own faults as the reason people are questioning why this man directed his letter to a woman, and gave a pass to all the men who have done the equivalent or far worse. Then you point out that he couldn’t possibly address every issue facing humanity because he would never stop writing. Are you familiar with the quote “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”? meaning if you see failings in a group of people you can’t just pick one person out for scrutiny and call that fair or in any way right. you can’t pick one person out and then get upset because people rightfully ask you, well what about the other 50 people doing the same thing? if an employer finds out 50 people are stealing from them do you think the company is going to pick one person out for punishment and let everyone else go or hunt down and punish every single person to the fullest extent of the law? if you found out that ten bullies were beating your child everyday would you just report one or not rest until all ten had been dealt with at school?

jean

I know this comment is now a novel but I hope I am getting my point across. If this person wants to criticize nicki minaj for being tasteless then it is a legitimate question if he has promoted far worse in his own magazine. that’s the justice everywhere part. he is not standing for anything but hypocrisy if criticizes nicki minaj for doing the exact same thing he is doing with his magazine. anyway like I said this article was written months but wanted to give you something to think about.

Herm Cain

Exactly take that L and shut up the deflecting denying etc make you look foolish and childish I can careless if he’s addressing our young men or women if it’s for positive so be it wtf are these chicks fighting for the right to h0 or degrade themselves without criticism I’m lost

Live_in_LDN

We are all big boys and big girls here. If you put your opinion out on a public forum and feel threatened or ‘attacked’ when people disagree with your views then you are either shelted or delusional and should repair your fragile self esteem before you engage in anymore adult debates.

Just saying!!

Don’t make this **** about “the feminists”. I am a feminist and I too think Nicki Minaj needs more accountability. I’m not worried about male rappers because they only get away with what we allow them to. That was a bad generalization.

Eri Cad

Well said. I seem to remember Lil Kim rapping about real ish and Biggie told her people didn’t want to see that. The sad thing about so many female artists is they buy into the puppetmasters lies they are scantily clad, grinding on everything and the puppetmaster (record companies) has told them “its sexually liberating” no boo boo sex just sells. If it didn’t sell Beyonce wouldn’t be posing in her panties on GQ, Rhianna wouldn’t be on instagram topless, Nicki wouldn’t be posing in a G-string. Its all to sell sex to men. Its not about the music or talent or empowering women its about getting men’s d*cks hard.

pow

Yes, but the male rappers do not respect women in their lyrics and videos. I believe that’s what she was referring too, and not necessarily the way they dress. I disagree with you on that. If he goes after the female rappers, he should go after the males for displaying how to poorly treat women, and teach “his daughter” that it’s ok to be treated like a b***, and be called a b***.

Live_in_LDN

I hope this dude also wrote numerous open letters to the dozens of male hip hop artists that his site covers, that push images much more explicit than Nicki’s Anaconda cover on the daily? You know, cos he cares so much about his daughter…

hollyw

… but we all know he didn’t lol.

Interesting that his first letter went to a female rapper instead of to the zillions of male debasing rappers who’ve graced his covers since he first became published.

Mimi

What about Rick Ross date rape lyrics??? Chuck D please stop! Raise your own daughter. All I know is I have seen these images before but I knew between my mom and my dad they would both kick my nice rotund a** if I even thought about doing that. I was 7 when Lil Kim did that pose and when she did it I wasn’t trying to emulate her. I wanted to be a psychologist like my daddy and help elderly people like my mommy! #raiseyourownkids stop trying to fight the power and take back your power as a parent.

Dust

That wasn’t written by Chuck D.

I agree though. If he’s afraid his daughter seeing that pic will lead her to emulating her I think it means he’s not doing his job as a parent.